History of Richland County, Ohio : (including the original boundaries) ; its past and present, containing a condensed comprehensive history of Ohio, including an outline history of the Northwest, a complete history of Richland county miscellaneous matter, map of the county, biographies and histories of the most prominent families, &c., &c., Part 86

Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 968

USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio : (including the original boundaries) ; its past and present, containing a condensed comprehensive history of Ohio, including an outline history of the Northwest, a complete history of Richland county miscellaneous matter, map of the county, biographies and histories of the most prominent families, &c., &c. > Part 86

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

he said, to get another wife, which important mission he accomplished in seven years, and then returned and recommenced grubbing up trees, etc. He also built a large brick house, made of bricks of extraordinary large size. He also built the first frame barn in the township.

The house above mentioned was remarkable for its immense cellars, which were all arched with stone. These were not properly constructed, and proved the ruin of the house by spreading the foundations, the walls cracking, and finally falling by piecemeal. It has not been clearly demonstrated whether the fall was great or not, but it fell, and the indications went to show, that Mr. Robinson, in more ways than one, did not build his house upon a "rock." He lost his fourth wife in 1842, and in the spring of 1843, returned to England, where he died.

In 1866, the property was sold at public auc- tion, by order of the court, and Gen. James and Wm. Robinson bid it off and now own it.

A few years ago, a Sunday-school picnic from Ashland landed at Windsor Station, and made a raid over the Big Hill, taking in their rounds the ruins, of the fallen castle. On leav- ing the ruinc it was observed by Mr. Robinson that each one of the party was carrying away a brick. He called the party to a halt, and gruffly inquired, what in thunder they were carrying off his bricks for.

The spokesman of the party proceded to ex- plain, that they had heard down at Ashland that a rich lord from England had built a won- derful castle here once, that he was something of a Blue Beard in his character, that four wives had mysteriously disappeared, some thought, in the arched vaults of the cellar, etc., etc., and finally that an earthquake had shaken down the house, and buried the unfortunate wicked lord in the ruins; and that with this romance burning in their brains, they were carrying away the brick to keep as a souvenir, and one brick to deposit in the cabinet of curi- osities in the Ashland Academy of Science.

At this wonderful story, Mr. Robinson's eyes dilated. He at once proceeded, with impressive voice and gesture, to strip this romantic legend of some of its superfluous verbiage, and put things in something like matter-of-fact form, such as would do to go into the history of Richland County. It is needless to say that quite a change came over the spirit of their dreams, and before the party reached the station on their return home, there was not a briek to be found in the hat of one of those boys. The teachers felt pretty badly sold.

In 1862-63, the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad was built, which enters Richland County and Weller Township on the east side of the township, at the crossing of the Black Fork, and running west to the west line of the township, where it makes a sudden curve to the south, to Mansfield.

There is a comfortable station-house at the crossing of the Windsor & Olivesburg road, commodious switches and spurs, and convenient accommodations for loading and unloading stock. There is considerable business done in 'the way of shipping stone, staves, lumber, grain, etc., from this point, though but little enterprise is manifested in building up a town. The old village of Windsor, three-fourths of a mile south, is dwindling away.

The railroad bridge over the Black Fork, one mile east of the station, broke down under a freight train in 1871, and all the train was pre- cipitated into the river. The crash was fearful, but by a wonderful providence, none of the employes were killed or even seriously hurt, though some were pulled out of the water from under the debris. A wrecking train was impro- vised and all hands put to work, and a new bridge built as soon as practicable, which has stood the pressure since.

The first child or children born in the town- ship were Samuel and Mary Stevenson (twins), in 1816, one of whom (Samuel) is still living

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on the old farm where he was born, and where he has lived sixty-four years.

The oldest man living within the bounds of the township is a Mr. Smith, living at Olives- burg, who claims to be ninety-eight years old. He is yet a hale old man, chops his own wood, and to all appearances, he is good for another half century.

There are fifteen persons in the township who have lived therein sixty years, viz., Samuel Pittenger, Nathaniel Pittenger, James Hagerman, William Hagerman. William Fer- guson, John Ward, Samuel Stevenson, John Crabbs, Richard Houston, Robert Houston, Isaac Connell and Francis Porter-twelve men,. and three women, viz .. Mrs. Morgan, Mrs. John Cline and Mrs. Taggart.

The Richland County Infirmary is situated in the center of Weller Township. It is beau- tifully situated on the western slope of the Big Hill, on the Mansfield & Olivesburg road. In accordance with an act of the Legislature, proceedings were inaugurated by the County Commissioners. in the year 1846, toward its erection. William Taggart, William B. Ham- mett and John McPool were acting in that capacity at that time. The farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres, was bought of the heirs of Nathaniel Osbun, and the contract for making the brick and putting up the building was given to Col. Weaver, of Ganges, for $4,500. As Col. Weaver claimed he had lost money in the enterprise, the Commissioners humanely added a little pile to it as extras, but the house was finished, and, the following year, was occupied in accordance with its legitimate purpose. The first Board of Directors elected to take charge of its conduct were Richard Con- don. Christopher Horn and Samnel Lind.

These men appointed Lowry Sibbet, of Mans- field, as Steward, and his lady, Mrs. Sibbet, was duly installed as Matron. The institution was managed as well. perhaps, as the average of such institutions throughout the State, and, as

a benevolent institution, was a eredit to the country. The average number of paupers ac- commodated within its walls was about seventy- five or eighty.

In June, 1877, the old building burned down, and great inconvenience was experienced in making temporary provision for the inmates till another building could be provided.

Plans and specifications were presented dur- ing the year 1878, and, in the spring of 1879. the contract was let to Sheets & Frayer, and the work commenced. The building is much more elaborate and expensive than the old one, and will cost between $30,000 and $40,000. It is a very handsome building, and makes a fine ap- pearance from the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad. The present officers, under whose di- rections it was built, are William Newlon, J. F. Gerhart and Peter Snapp. Present Steward in charge is William Gates.

There was a school organized about the same time on Jacob Osbun's farm. at that time in Franklin Township (now Weller). adjoining the infirmary, and was taught by John Hagerman. and, in the winter of 1819-20, Joseph Ward taught a school on the south side of the Big Hill, and the winter following, in a log cabin on the farm of Mr. Hall, on the Black Fork. at which time and place the Hon. Barnabas Burns. of Mansfield, commenced his education, also James Rait, of Mansfield. This rustic seminary had greased newspapers for windows. The fire- place extended nearly across the east end. into which chasm immense piles of beech and sugar logs were rolled by muscular students. The master was favored with a splint-bottomed chair for his throne, but the students had seats made of split-rails, placed with the soft side upward.

The first schoolhouse making any pretensions to respectability was built at Olivesburg in the year 1824. This was a substantial, hewed-log house, twenty feet square, glass windows and good stove in the middle. The above-named gentleman (Joseph Ward) taught the first four

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terms in it. This was the first school continued through the summer season. His article of agreement stipulated that one-third of his pay should be in corn. one-third in maple-sugar and one-third money.

It was not till the year 1854, that the town- ship was thoroughly organized into districts. and a Board of Education appointed, and a good frame house put up in each sub-district. The first Board of Education met at Isaac Charles' house, and was composed of the fol- lowing members : Charles Palmer, Sr., John Ward, Elijah Charles, Daniel McCormick, James O. Hagerman and James Walker, since which time the schools have prospered. with regular sessions winter and summer.

The first religious service in this township was held at Peter Pittenger's house, conducted by Rev. John Clingan. Preaching was con- tinned for some time at his house by the Methodist ministers before any church was built. In 1820. a log church was built on the land of Nathaniel Osbun, now the infirmary farm, and services held occasionally. The first church of any size or comfort was built by the Presbyterians at Olivesburg. in the year 1827. It was a good frame house for those days, and cost $500. Rev. William Mathews was Pastor ; William Houston. Abel Montgomery and Josephi Burget were the Deacons.

Jolm Crabbs, John Owens and James God- win were the Elders: Joseph Ward. Clerk, and James Laughlin, Treasurer. In 1831. Mr. Nathan retired and Rev. James Robinson was installed Pastor and continued a number of years. The church is not more than half as strong at the present time as it was fifty years ago. In the year 1849. the old church building was removed, and a new one built on the site in 1852. The present Pastor is Rev. Mr. Boles.

The first Methodist Church in Olivesburg was built in 1840. Rev. M. Kinnear was Pas- tor : Dr. Mitchell and Isaac Charles, Trustees. It burned down in 1848 and was rebuilt in

1849. The Pastors were Rev. O. Burgess and Jacob Fry: the Trustees. Isaac Charles and Jacob Crabbs.

The M. E. Church at Frankton was built in the year 1837. The preachers were Reys. Gavitt and Yokum; the Trustees. Charles Pal- mer. Henry Newman, William Ferree. Andrew Oswalt. The church cost $500.

First M. E. Church at Milton was built in 1839. Pastors, Adam Poe. A. L. Harris ; Trustees-Joseph Curtis, Henry Pittenger, M. Mason and Ezra Osbun. Second church was built in 1875. The Pastors have been John McNabb and C. C. Ball ; Trustees, William Ferguson, John Ward, H. O. Pittenger, William Hagerman, William Robinson, William Wells and S. S. Harnly. It cost $2,400.

The first parsonage in the township was built in Olivesburg in the year 1847. Trustees-Ja- cob Crabbs, Charles Palmer, Joshna Ford. It was occupied severally by Revs. Hubbard Dubois, Jacob Fegtly, John McNabb, John Whitworth and others. In the year 1876, it was sold, and a more commodious and convenient house built near Windsor Station, in close connection with Milton Church. and costing about $1.200. Trustees-John Ward, William Ferguson, Henry Golladay, James Hughes and William Foulks. It is beautifully situated on the southern slope of the Big Hill, 'and. with its rather picturesque surroundings. presents a pleasing view during the summer season. from the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad. It frequently calls out re- marks of passing strangers. The present Pas- tor occupying it is the Rev. C. I. Russel.

Sabbath schools were organized first in the year 1828 by a Mr. E. Judson, of Milan, Ohio. at Olivesburg and at Fleming's Falls. James Godwin, Superintendent at Olivesburg; Thomas Wilson, Superintendent at Fleming's, and Levi Horseman. Secretary.

In 1829. the Rev. Mr. Matthews assisted in organizing a school in a cabin on Simon Morgan's land. Bartholomew Williamson,

PRIX-ENG.CO.V.Y.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

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Superintendent ; Joseph Ward, Sr., Secretary and Librarian. A collection was taken up here and forwarded to New York for books, and these were the first Sabbath-school books introduced into the township. There was a small school also in the west part of the township, with Charles Palmer as Superintendent. All these schools went down after a brief struggle for support ; but after the building of commodions church edifices at the various points already indicated, they were all reorganized on a per- manent basis, and have continued with brief intermissions ever since. Some of them are very prosperous and successful. These schools were superintended alternately by Ezra Os- bun, John Ward, William Hagerman, Newton Charles, Freeman Osbun, and others at Mil- ton ; Charles Palmer, James Hughes, Henry Golladay, Allan Haverfield, David Hughes and others, at Franklin, and Dr. Crabbs, William Burget, William Foulks, at Olivesburg.

The village of Olivesburg was laid out by Benjamin Montgomery in the year 1816, and called Olivesburg in honor of his oldest daugh- ter, Olive. In 1821, the village contained one tavern, kept by Benjamin Montgomery; one blacksmith-shop, by Abel Montgomery ; one tailor-shop, by John Gum; one cabinet-shop, by Thomas Beach ; one tannery, by Joseph Burget ; one horse-mill and water-mill, by Jon- athan Montgomery ; one wheelwright-shop, by William Lee, or James Hall, and about the usual per cent of loafers.

It was suggested to the writer by an old set- tler, that the history of Weller Township would be incomplete without some allusion to the witchcraft excitement that prevailed some fifty years ago. It will, perhaps, be looked upon by some as a matter almost incredible that such things took place at so comparatively recent date, and we should feel reluctant about plac- ing them on record were there not living wit- nesses to substantiate all the statements made here: It was about the year 1831 or 1832,

that a family living on the farm now occupied by the county infirmary, conceived that they were annoyed by enemies who were endowed with the powers, qualities and attributes of witchcraft. A Mrs. Holstein, living at that time on the farm now occupied by Alanson Martin, was one of the parties thus charged. and that, in the exercise of powers and capac- ities above mentioned, they entered into their churns, sugar-kettles, etc., and prevented the butter from coming and the sugar from grain- ing, etc. At other times, the old lady would fancy they had taken partial possession of her person, and she would commence a series of gymnastic performances, swaying her body and limbs to and fro, looking mysteriously ont into vacancy and uttering sepulchral tones ; then she would take a silver half-dollar and clap it on the calf of her leg and kick like a mule in her efforts to throw it off. In the night, mys- terions noises were heard up-stairs and down ; there were hissings and screechings, and run- nings to and fro. In the morning, piles of meal would be found in one corner, piles of salt in another, and torn shreds of old faded calico dresses would be scattered hither and thither. Neighbors were called in to witness the " pro- ceedings," and, according to the Scripture, " some believed, and some believed not." A large portion of the more intelligent part of the community scouted the whole thing and stood aloof from all the proceedings. It was thought by many, that the object of the old woman was to excite hatred toward old Mrs. Holstein. The excitement, however. continued to increase in a class of community who either did, or feigned, to believe it. Finally. a meet- ing of the " believers ". was called to take steps looking toward the abatement of the nuisance. A man by the name of Wycoff, a connection of the troubled family, was Chairman of the meet- ing.

Wycoff settled on the western slope of the Big Hill in 1815. He was a man of immense

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weight-on a pair of scales-of very indo- lent habits, but a more inoffensive, good- natured man there was not in the county of Richland. Wycoff and his confreres, on the occasion above alluded to, held a kind of “ ex- perience meeting," in which each one is sup- posed to have told " what I know about witch- craft," and its probable cause and cure. The conclusion of their deliberations was that the witch should be shot, not in dramatis personer, but by proxy. So they very gravely went to work, and, with the aid and assistance of the female department of the house, took wheat- flour and created a dough image, made after the " similitude and likeness" of a sinful and erring old woman, whose presence was now in- voked with mysterious incantations. It was then placed on the corner of an outside, old- fashioned mud and stick chimney, at a con- venient angle, with a big forked cherry-tree, where an excellent marksman was placed, with a rifle loaded with a silver bullet which had been melted down from two or three old, smooth sixpences that had been previously well soaked in buttermilk from which no butter would come. The nerve of the marksman was good, and his aim was true. No better nerve was ever exhibited by "Fitz James or Roderick Dhn," considering the conditions. Sir Walter Scott's heroes pale before him. The silver bul- let was true to its magic charm and - accom- plished the end whereunto they sent it." At all events. the poor innocent image was bored through and through ; and it was not three days till there was a report circulated all

through the neighborhood that there was a cor- responding wound in poor old Mrs. Holstein's side or bosom. It is a veritable fact, however, that Mrs. Holstein died shortly after these ridic- ulous transactions, which served to strengthen some in the faith. The writer hereof was pres- ent the year after these things took place, when a witch-doctor was sent for, who lived two miles north of Mansfield, who claimed to have power to exorcise evil spirits. He went ont to the sugar-camp and muttered something over the sugar-kettles, to make the sugar "grain " good. He appeared to be an honest Pennsylvania Dutchman, talked broken English, charged a small fee for his services, stayed all night with the family, and, early in the morning. left them with his blessing. This was about the winding up of the era of witchcraft.

Absurd and ridiculous as these things were, they had their counterpart in the spiritual rap- ping period, a quarter of a century later. Not more than a mile from this same locality, on the farm owned at that time by Henry New- man, and rented by a man named Heppard, some very extraordinary things took place, and the family was kept in a terrific state of alarm and excitement for weeks and months by simi- lar noises, thumping, rapping and tearing round the house in the night ; and no satisfactory so- lution of the strange proceedings ever came to light. But these singular manifestations, like the former, have all passed away. and we look back upon them with mingled feelings of won- der and incredulity.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

CHAPTER LXII.

WORTHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

ORGANIZATION-STREAMS, SPRINGS AND TIMBER-ABNER DAVIS-SCENERY ALONG THE CLEAR FORK-FAIR VIEW ROCK-CHASM ROCKS-HEMLOCK FALLS-SLANTING ROCK-EAGLE'S NEST-PIONEER THRESHING FLOOR- INDIAN HILL - PROSPECT HILL - FOUNTAIN CAVERN -GIANT'S PLOWSHARE-WATT'S HILL-DRIPPING ROCK-FIRST SETTLERS-THE PIGEON ROOST-ADVENTURE WITH A BEAR-MILLS-CHURCHES-NEWVILLE -WINCHESTER-INDEPENDENCE-HELLTOWN-THE OLD INDIAN, LYONS.

" Ye who love the haunts of Nature, Love the sunshine of the meadow, Love the shadow of the forest, Love the wind among the branches, And the rain-shower and the snow-storm, And the rushing of great rivers Through their Palisades of pine-trees, And the thunder in the mountains, Whose innumerable echoes Flap like eagles in the eyries : Listen to these wild traditions." -- Longfellow.

THE township was erected June 6, 1815, out of the east half of Greene, being then twelve miles long from north to south, and six miles wide. Thus it remained until February 11, 1817. when Monroe was created out of its north half, leaving it in its present shape, six miles square. It is now in the southeast corner of the country. It was named after Gov. Worth- ington, of Ohio. Its surface is broken and hilly, especially along the Clear Fork, where the scenery is picturesque and beautiful. It is well watered by the Clear Fork and its tributaries ; this stream entering the township about the cen- ter of its western side, its course being gener- ally northeast, leaving the township on its way to the Black Fork, about the center of Section 2. It is a clear, rapid stream, tumbling down among the hills, over a rocky and pebbly hot- tom. It must have been, long years ago, a very paradise of the red man. Slater's Run and its tributaries water the northern part. It passes from west to east across the northern

tier of sections, entering the Clear Fork at New- ville. Andrew's Run enters the southwest cor- ner of the township, and, passing north, empties into Clear Fork at Independence ; and Gold Run, coming from the southeast, joins the Clear Fork a short distance below Independence. In addition to these, numerous beautiful springs burst from the hillsides in every direction.

Every part of it was once densely wooded ; every species of hardwood growing with great strength and beauty. Much of this timber has been cleared away, but even yet the hills along the Clear Fork, and patches of ground all over the township, are covered with timber of the best quality.

The only railroad in the township is the Bal- timore & Ohio, which enters its western boundary with the Clear Fork, running parallel with it to Independence, where it makes a curve. passing out on the same boundary line about a mile from the southwest corner.

Among the most noted springs is one on the land now owned by the heirs of Abner Davis, two and a half miles southeast of Newville. This Mr. Davis was once robbed of $1,100 in gold, and recovered his money in a peculiar manner. Three men came to his house one bitter, cold night, before he had retired, and, presenting a pistol to his head, demanded his money. After getting the money. the robbers de- parted, and, becoming somewhat bewildered by the snow-storm. wandered about until two of

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them froze to death, and, when found, the third was badly frozen, but survived, and was after- ward sent to the penitentiary. The money was all recovered.

The magnificent rocky country in the vicinity of Newville is, without doubt, the most inter- esting geographical feature in the county. In the carly history of the country, these great rocks formed a secure retreat for the various wild animals, and dens for an immense num- ber of yellow rattlesnakes. Hundreds of these reptiles have been seen and killed by the early settlers among these rocks. The bottoms along the Clear Fork are exceedingly rich, where they are extensive enough for farming purposes ; oe- casionally, however, the high rocky bluffs crowd the little stream into a narrow gorge, and the til- ler of the soil must let these hills and rocks alone in their natural state forever. A narrow road borders the creek, clings to the hillside and wanders among the great rocks, which, jutting from these young mountains in great profusion, frown darkly upon the passer-by, silent monn- ments of lost races and ages.

The banks of the stream in their primeval state were covered with a luxuriant growth of vege- tation, among which are the most beautiful wild flowers and flowering shrubs. With all this beanty, it is not pleasant to think of the slimy yellow rattlesnake creeping beneath these flow- ers, in such vast numbers as to render a walk along the banks of the stream, in an early day, a very dangerous undertaking.

In the vicinity of Newville are various ledges of rocks which have received various names, suggested by the shape and locality.

Fair View Rock received its name from the extensive and magnificent view to be obtained from its summit. A view of the valley may be had for some miles up and down the stream.

To the right of this are Chasm Rocks, which consist of detached masses thrown off from the main cliff, by some convulsion of nature in past ages, forming a deep rent in the rocks. In

some places, this rent is four, and in others ten, feet across. These chasms are winding, tor. tuous and open at the top, for the most part. This is an interesting point for the visitor, but space will not permit a description ; neither is it considered necessary, for these things will stand forever as they are. No human power will ever be exerted to change them, and it is sufficient that their locality be pointed out by the historian.

Hemlock Falls, a highly interesting and ro- mantic natural curiosity, is situated about one and a half miles south of Newville, near the road leading to Danville, in Knox County, about one-half mile from the Clear Fork. This locality is noted as being the resort of Indians in earlier times, and, in later times, as the resort of pleasure parties and meetings of various kinds. In point of interest and simple beauty. the country and scenery about Hemlock Falls is hard to excel. The water pours over a precipice about seventy-five feet in height, not, however, perpendicularly, but at an angle of seventy-five or eighty degrees in a succession' of cascades. There is evidence, however, that at one time the water poured over a precipice about fifty feet perpendicularly, the rock hav- ing been worn away by the action of the water. One evidence of this is in the detached frag- mentary masses lying scattered at the foot of the falls. At present, the water pours over a precipice of gradual descent about sixty feet. then makes a perpendicular leap fifteen feet to the fragmentary rocks beneath. Huge rocks, ragged and uneven, project from either side. The banks of the stream are fringed with hem- lock-trees-hence the name. A large one of these, standing on the verge of a projecting rock. looks as if it would be detached at any moment, and the traveler who has the nerve may hang out over a fearful abyss, by ascend- ing this tree a short distance.

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Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848- Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co. Number of Pages: 968

Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 968